2026 Sketching Dead Things Report

On Saturday, February 28, BYU students and animal specimens came together at the Bean Life Science Museum for the Sketching Dead Things event. After a brief introduction and overview of the evening, participants spread out across the museum to begin sketching.

Artists used a variety of materials, including their own sketchbooks and preferred mediums, along with supplies provided by the museum such as paper, pencils, a how-to video, and touchable classroom specimens. For an hour and a half, the museum galleries filled with focused creativity as students sketched their chosen subjects.

Afterward, everyone gathered to socialize, enjoy cookies, and share their work. Another successful Sketching Dead Things event came to a close—and we’re already looking forward to the next one!

Tasia, student educator

2026 Winter Tanner Lecture with Dr. Jessica Ware

Did you know, dragonflies mate while flying in midair?

At this semester’s Tanner Lecture on Thursday, February 12th, entomologist and Curator and Division Chair of Invertebrate Zoology at the American Museum of Natural History, Jessica Ware, masterfully outlined key aspects of the evolutionary history of dragonflies.

Students, faculty, and members of the public were awed as Dr. Ware walked us through the evolution of some of the key traits that dragonflies have optimized over their 300 million year history. Dragonflies are an incredibly diverse and wonderful group of insects that can be found across the globe—everywhere from puddles in parking lots to remote jungles. In case you missed the lecture, here are 3 fun facts about dragonflies:

1. Early dragonflies during the carboniferous period could be over a foot long!
2. Dragonfly wings are optimized depending on if they are primarily “fliers” or “perchers” that spend more time resting on plants.
3. Dragonflies such as the Globe Skimmer, Pantala flavescens, will migrate thousands of kilometers!

After her lecture and the refreshments, Dr. Ware was kind enough to take a look at our very own invertebrates here at the Bean. Our Chilean Rose-Hair tarantula, Belle, was even deemed “gorgeous.” Many thanks to Dr. Ware for sharing her time and expertise with all of us here at the Bean.

Margaret, museum educator

2026 Birding Nature Experienceship

On Saturday, February 7th, Keeli Marvel, from the Utah County Birders, expertly guided 20 bird enthusiasts on the Bean Museum Birding Nature Experienceship. Keeping in mind that “the early bird catches the worm,” participants gathered at the museum before sunrise, received instructions and materials, then enthusiastically embarked on the birding adventure. Time was split between the Provo River Delta and Timpanogous golf course. Each location had many lovely species and birders made fond memories in the brisk morning.

The following species were identified: American Coot American Crow American Herring Gull American Kestrel American Pipit American Robin American Wigeon American White Pelican Bald Eagle Black-billed Magpie Black-crowned Night Heron Brewer’s Blackbird California Gull Canada Goose Canvasback Cedar Waxwing Common Goldeneye Common Merganser Gadwall Great Blue Heron Great Egret Green-winged Teal House Finch House Sparrow Killdeer Lesser Scaup Mallard Northern Harrier Northern Pintail Pied-billed Grebe Red-tailed Hawk Red-winged Blackbird Ring-billed Gull Ring-necked Pheasant Rock Pigeon Ruddy Duck Sandhill Crane Song Sparrow Western Meadowlark White-crowned Sparrow

Rachael, museum educator